Chapter 5: We Remain Strangers

Seraphina stared at Jayden in shock. Up until now, she couldn't comprehend what was happening.

What kind of dream is this, Lord? My imagination has gone wild. All that's missing is for me to call an ambulance because I might faint at any moment.

Just then, Arthur and Magnus entered the room. Seeing Seraphina staring blankly at Jayden, her father gently tapped her. Before Arthur could speak, Elizabeth interjected.

"Ah! Right! You both attend the same school. You must know each other, right?" Elizabeth said cheerfully, snapping Seraphina back to reality.

Seraphina quickly composed herself, but with Jayden's blank stare piercing through her, she felt as if she was choking on his gaze, making her desperately avoid eye contact.

"Ask her, for sure, she knows me too well," Jayden said, his tone hinting at the significance of Seraphina's confession to him, clearly teasing her, though his face remained unreadable.

Seraphina glanced at Jayden sharply before replying, "Ah! Y-yes! I know him because he's our campus genius." Her voice was awkward, laced with guilt, as she didn't want anyone to find out that she had been in love with Jayden for four years.

"It's obvious they're not classmates! I bet she's from section F!" Hermes interrupted, immediately scolded by their mother.

Seraphina bowed her head and forced a smile at Elizabeth. She couldn't deny that she was indeed from section F.

"Please forgive Hermes, Sera, okay? Oh! By the way! I'll call you Sera, is that okay? I've always wanted a daughter. I'm so happy you're here. So you should feel at home, alright?" Elizabeth said with a warm smile, her words genuine as she had always dreamed of having a daughter.

Seraphina felt a mix of awkwardness with Jayden's presence and genuine happiness because of Elizabeth. Having lost her mother at a young age, she felt touched by Elizabeth's kindness and sincerity.

"Oh my! I'd be delighted if you called me Sera. I'm happy to have an aunt who feels like a mother to me." Seraphina said joyfully.

Even though Seraphina was looking at Elizabeth, she could feel Jayden's intense gaze on her. Now, how can she live peacefully here with Jayden around? How can she forget him? How can she move on?

"That's good. Come, let's go to the living room. I've prepared some food," Elizabeth said, putting an arm around Seraphina. She then looked at Jayden, "Jayden, help Seraphina settle into her room later, okay?"

Jayden's face remained expressionless as he let out a faint, "Hmm."

"No need, Aunt—" Seraphina started to refuse, but Elizabeth cut her off.

"Sit down, have a drink, and eat first. After that, I'll take you to your room," Elizabeth said, gesturing for her to sit on the sofa. Meanwhile, Arthur and Magnus were busy talking on the balcony.

Jayden and Hermes also sat down, now facing Seraphina. The two nonchalant brothers looked remarkably similar, and with Jayden wearing glasses, he could easily be mistaken for Hermes, as intelligence seemed to run in their genes.

Lord, just take me now! How am I going to survive this? My luck couldn't get any worse.

Hermes stared at Seraphina, his eyebrows furrowed in apparent anger. Seraphina was equally puzzled, not understanding what great wrong she had committed to earn such a reaction. Meanwhile, Jayden continued reading a magazine, seemingly unbothered.

Moments later, Elizabeth emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray. On it were cupcakes, glasses, and a jar of orange juice. Elizabeth, always cheerful and supportive, had a lively and fashion-forward aura. She placed the tray on the table and served Seraphina first.

"Sera, have something to eat. I know you just came from school and must be tired," she said warmly, sitting down next to Seraphina.

Seraphina took the offering with a smile, "Thank you so much."

Elizabeth continued, "Since you and Jayden attend the same school, you should go together. The school is within walking distance from the house, and Jayden usually walks there for exercise. So you should walk together, okay?"

Seraphina was taken aback by Elizabeth's suggestion. She had just confessed and challenged Jayden, and now they were going to live under the same roof and walk to school together? Wouldn't that raise issues if they were seen together so often?

However, deep inside, Seraphina felt butterflies fluttering in her stomach, unable to deny the excitement of being near Jayden. Even living with him had always been part of her daydreams, though she never expected it to happen this way.

Living with the campus genius, who was also her long-time crush, made her heart race. She couldn't help but feel those tingling sensations because, despite everything, she hadn't moved on from him. After all, who could move on so quickly?

Right now, Seraphina wished she could go back to a time before she confessed, to avoid this awkwardness. Maybe she would have had a better chance, but with all the recent events, things had only gotten worse.

Argh! So unlucky!

Before Seraphina could speak, Jayden interrupted, “Is this your luggage? I’ll take it to your room.” He spoke with an air of indifference, clearly avoiding his mother’s earlier suggestion.

Unaware of what had transpired between them, Elizabeth was delighted by Jayden’s initiative to carry Seraphina’s luggage. She stood up and said, “That's right! That belongs to Sera!” She then looked at Seraphina, gesturing for her to stand. “Sera, Jayden will take you to your room. I'll follow shortly, okay?” She batted her eyelashes playfully.

Seraphina couldn’t refuse and just nodded.

Jayden began to walk up the stairs, and Seraphina followed. Each step was punctuated by the sound of Jayden's heels and Seraphina's own footsteps, the noise amplifying the heavy silence between them.

Looking at Jayden's back is just like my admiration for him for the past four years. I've always admired him from behind. Can I really let go of my feelings for Jayden?

"Here," Jayden said plainly, stopping in front of a door with a card hanging on it that bore Seraphina's name.

"Sera?" Seraphina was surprised to see this; it seemed Auntie Elizabeth had prepared it for her. The card was decorated with flowers, specifically tulips.

Seraphina stared at the door, unsure of what to do as Jayden stood there, waiting.

Should I open this door? Do I have the right to do that? I'm new here. What should I do?

“So, are we just going to stand here and see who can make it till midnight?” Jayden said sarcastically, clearly implying that Seraphina should open the door and go inside.

However, Seraphina, a bit slow to catch on, didn't understand Jayden's implication. She shook her head, furrowing her brow in confusion. "And why?"

Jayden sighed slightly and opened the door. Inside, the room was a mix of pink and white hues, girly and elegant in design. The bed had lace curtains, a study table, and pink stuffed toys. Almost everything was pink.

How did Auntie Elizabeth know that pink is my favorite color? Oh, I’m so happy! Never in my life have I had a room like this.

Seraphina marveled at the entire room, her face clearly showing her joy and amazement.

*Thud*

She turned to see Jayden drop her luggage on the ground.

“I don’t care if you’re living here,” Jayden began. He leaned against the doorframe, his hands in his pockets.

Seraphina moved closer to take her luggage. “I know. And I-I don’t need your help. I can manage this.”

Jayden, his face devoid of any emotions, smirked and said, “I don’t have any plan of helping you anyway. Just remember that living under the same roof doesn’t change anything at school. We remain strangers.”